Cribble

David Kurten: How was it possible for Pro Transfer Limited and thus the Cribble app to gain a TfL private hire operating licence, when there are serious questions and concerns about their operating model?

The Mayor: Pro Transfer Limited is licensed by Transport for London (TfL) as a London private hire vehicle (PHV) operator and in November 2017 it notified TfL of a change to its operating model involving bookings being taken via the Cribble app. However, the change was never put into effect because Pro Transfer Limited decided to end its relationship with Cribble following issues being raised by TfL.
Pro Transfer did add Cribble as a trading name on its licence at the same time as the notification but this was subsequently removed in March 2019 following the concerns raised by TfL.
Cribble is not licensed as a London private hire vehicle operator nor has it applied to TfL for a licence. TfL has advised licensees that, based on its understanding of how the Cribble app works, private hire drivers working via the app would be plying for hire which is unlawful.
For more information, please see the TPH Notice: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/08-03-19-tph-notice-cribble.pdf.

Catalytic convertor theft data

Leonie Cooper: Please can you provide me with figures by borough in the last 4 years that shows the number of thefts of catalytic converters from cars? Please provide this in excel format.

The Mayor: Please see attached the requested data for the period specified. The note below explains the recent increase in offences of this kind and the MPS response to this.
Catalytic converter theft has become popular due to their value of the metal catalyst which can be Platinum or other rare metals. They are easy to steal with no identifying features that any scrap dealer can search against to establish if the part is stolen. This type of theft is factored into Borough Command Unit motor vehicle theft plans which will include scrap metal dealer visits for records of persons selling such items or other suspicious behaviour.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (6)

Keith Prince: With regard to the Taxi Delicensing Scheme, how long does it take to process an Application?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6391.

Transport for London staff (4)

Florence Eshalomi: What equality and diversity checks or audits are there in place at Transport for London with regard to the use of consultants?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) doesn’t have specific equality and diversity checks or audits for consultants. Each contract is reviewed on a case by case basis to identify if there is an opportunity to improve the equality & diversity of the contracted workforce or its supply chain.
TfL’s Contract for Services states that Service Providers ‘shall assist and cooperate with Authority where possible in satisfying the duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010.’

Ultra-short-term lets

Andrew Dismore: Are you concerned that the growth in ultra-short-term lets (through such services as AirBnB) is distorting the market for longer-term residential property lettings, especially given the abuse of the 90 day per year maximum letting period rule, and if so will you encourage local councils to take tougher enforcement action against those who seek to flout these rules?

The Mayor: Councils who want to take tougher enforcement action in cases of the 90-day short-term lettings limit being breached typically do not have access to the information they need to do so, as referred to in my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6046.

Taxi and PH qualification

Keith Prince: Will the Mayor introduce an NVQ or City & Guilds type qualification to improve safeguarding and disability awareness in the Taxi and PH Trades?

The Mayor: As you may be aware, Transport for London (TfL) actively participated in the Department for Transport (DfT)-commissioned Taxi and Private Hire Task and Finish Group, which primarily focussed on public safety. In September 2018, the group’s findings and recommendations were published in a report which includes recommendations around safeguarding and disability equality.
The DfT’s response to the group’s report has been accompanied by a consultation on statutory guidance for national minimum standards and the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. TfL will be responding to the consultation which closes on 22 April 2019 and is available on the DfT’s website: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-licensing-protecting-users
TfL is currently considering a range of measures to improve safety for new and existing private hire drivers, including safeguarding and disability equality, as part of an enhanced driver assessment package.
However, it is important that TfL considers the results of the DfT’s consultation as well as its response to the Task and Finish Group’s report before finalising its own proposals to ensure consistency, where appropriate, and full assurance for London’s travelling public as to the safety of taxi and private hire services.

CCTV in PHVs

Keith Prince: As very few PHV’s have partitions in their Cars, will the Mayor introduce mandatory CCTV in PHV’s to help improve the safeguarding of vulnerable passengers?

The Mayor: The Department for Transport (DfT) is currently consulting on statutory guidance for licensing authorities of taxi and private hire vehicle services. Part of this consultation, which closes on 22 April 2019, explores the potential benefits of mandating closed circuit television (CCTV) in taxi and private hire vehicles. TfL will await the outcome of the consultation and the DfT’s subsequent guidance before deciding how to proceed.
In the meantime, licensees can choose to install CCTV in London licensed taxis and PHVs if they wish, subject to ensuring that suitable protections are in place in relation to the handling of passenger information. A list of approved devices which can be fitted as well as guidelines on their installation and use is available online: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/guidelines-for-cctv-in-taxis-and-phvs.pdf.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (2)

Keith Prince: What is the ratio and numbers of fleet/owner drivers applying for the new Taxi Delicensing scheme?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) establishes whether an application is from an owner driver or fleet owner when a taxi has passed its delicensing inspection and it then determines what level of payment can be made. Of the 168 vehicles that have been presented for a delicensing inspection (as at 11 March 2019), 133 vehicles were fleet owned and 35 were driver owned.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (1)

Keith Prince: Will TFL inform taxi drivers considering the Taxi Delicensing scheme of availability or when each tiered payment level has been reached?

The Mayor: Yes. Transport for London will announce when the limit of each payment tier has been reached.

Single platform safety

Florence Eshalomi: The platforms at some tube stations in my constituency, including Clapham North and several others have only a single platform serving both Southbound and Northbound trains. As these stations and this section of the northern line is extremely congested, safety concerns have been raised over the space on the single platform. Are there any plans to improve safety at these stations, such as the possibility of a barrier much like many Jubilee line platforms have?

The Mayor: The safety of customers and staff is always Transport for London’s (TfL) top priority. In order to manage passenger numbers at its busiest stations, TfL implements different types of station control measures, such as one-way systems and restricting entry as required, to ensure the safety of passengers at all times. Staff are trained to carefully manage passenger flows to ensure a safe travel environment, including at stations where there are single island platforms.
Some improvements are already addressing crowding along the Northern line. A timetable change in 2018 increased evening peak time services, easing congestion between Kennington and Morden, and through the central Charing Cross and Bank branches of the line. This change has benefited around 225,000 customers with quicker and more frequent journeys. The second phase of this upgrade will see further improvements, with 31 trains per hour on the Morden branch in the peak from 2020. This will also enable the introduction of services on the Battersea branch once the Northern Line Extension is completed.
Installing Platform Edge Doors (PEDs) onto old Tube station platforms has been carefully consideredhowever, it involves many engineering challenges which make this technically complex and costly. Platforms across the network have a large overhang and are unlikely to be able to accommodate the weight of the PEDs at the platform edge. PED systems also need to be integrated with signalling, to ensure that the train comes to a stop in the platform in exact alignment with the doors. TfL will continue to seek out cost effective means of PED retrofit, including actively monitoring steps being taken by other metro systems around the globe to overcome these challenges.

Twelve-year age limit for taxis (2)

David Kurten: What will the composition of the fleet be before, during and after the transition to a 12-year age limit on London’s taxis?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL) proposals to reduce emissions from the taxi fleet, including a reduction to the taxi age limit, are subject to a public consultation which closes on 26 April 2019. As part of the consultation, TfL has published a detailed Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) which identifies the likely significant impacts of its proposals.
The consultation, along with the IIA, is available online: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/tph/taxi-age-limits.

Twelve-year age limit for taxis (1)

David Kurten: Howmany vehicles will be taken off the road or will have their lifespans affected during the transition due to your proposal of imposing a 12-year age limit on London’s taxis?

The Mayor: The proposals to reduce emissions from the taxi fleet, including a reduction to the taxi age limit, are subject to an ongoing public consultation by Transport for London and no decision will be made until the consultation responses have been carefully considered.
The impacts of the proposals have been assessed by means of an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) which forms part of the consultation and is online: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/tph/taxi-age-limits.

TFL Junk food ban

Andrew Boff: Do you wish you were warned of the unintended consequences of your Junk Food Ban, which is now banning everyday food items like eggs and jam?

The Mayor: No products are banned under TfL’s advertising policy. Advertisers can put forward an exception request if they have a product that is high in fat, sugar and/or salt that can demonstrate does not contribute to child obesity.
I am committed to doing all I can to help Londoners make healthy food choices and to tackle child obesity. London has one of the highest child overweight and obesity rates in Europe, with almost 40 per cent of the capital’s children aged 10 and 11 overweight or obese. Children from more deprived areas of the capital are disproportionately affected, with young people in Barking and Dagenham almost twice as likely to be overweight as children from Richmond.
The financial and human costs associated with obesity have spiralled in recent years and continue to rise. Earlier this year, Diabetes UK revealed a significant increase in the number of children and young people across the country diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The NHS spends at least £5.1 billion a year dealing with ill health caused by overweight and obesity in England and economic analysis suggests that the wider costs to UK society are at least £27 billion each year. Given the scale of the problem it is important we do all we can to tackle this.
Introducing restrictions around the advertisement of products high in saturated fat, salt and/or sugar (HFSS) across TfL’s advertising estate is one of a range of measures in my London Food Strategy to help address London’s high rates of child obesity.
No products are banned, but all items are assessed against the Public Health England (PHE) recommended Nutrient Profile Model. If a product is assessed as being HFSS according to the Nutrient Profiling Model, but the brand feels it does not contribute to childhood obesity, then brands can apply for an exception. We introduced this exception process to ensure the policy targeted food and drink that contributes to child obesity. TfL stands ready to help brands apply for these exceptions and they have published guidance on their website to make this easier. They have already starting to receive exception requests.
In relation to your specific examples, brands are welcome to submit an exception request for jam. TfL never said that eggs do not comply with the policy, and it is very unfortunate that this was misreported by the media.

Knowledge of London (1)

David Kurten: Through FOI’s the LCDC have found that up to the end of October 2018, only 203 Applicants were accepted on to The Knowledge; what was the final year total?

The Mayor: The total number of Knowledge of London candidates accepted from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 is 290.

Breaches of the 90-day limit for short-term lettings

Sian Berry: Londoners report instances of homes in their communities being let out through short-term lettings platforms in excess of 90 days per year. Will you work with boroughs to investigate measures that have been adopted in other European cities to deter this, such as de-listing properties that are being let out for more than 90 days per year without planning permission and seeking access to listings data for borough enforcement teams and City Hall?

The Mayor: Pleasesee my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6046.

Short-term rental market (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: What action are you taking to support communities negatively impacted by the short-term rental market?

The Mayor: I am working to promote adherence to the 90-day short-term rental limit, as set out in my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6046.

Short-term rental market (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: What action are you taking to ensure that the 90-day short-term rental limit is enforced, and have you had any recent discussions with AirBnB regarding their ability to ensure rules are not flouted?

The Mayor: I have been working with the sector to promote adherence to the 90-day short-term rental limit, as I have no powers to ensure it is enforced.
I welcomed Airbnb introducing a cap on listings above 90 days on their platform in January 2017, and I have been strongly encouraging other platforms to do the same. I have also discussed with the sector options for an information sharing protocol, which would allow boroughs to better enforce against illegal lettings activity.
I continue to have discussions with the different players in the sector, but I have been clear that if there is not sufficient progress toward effective self-regulation, I will be forced to call for legislative change from the national Government.

Loan facilities

Caroline Pidgeon: How many bridging loans, such as that detailed in DD2305, have been provided by the GLA over the past two years? Please provide a full list of the recipients, how much was received by each and also provide detail on the criteria used.

The Mayor: The funding provided under DD2305 is senior debt finance. The GLA has provided senior debt finance in 8 other loans through the Housing Zones Programme and the Mayor’s Land Fund over the last two years. Details of the recipients and approved funding allocation is below. Also included is the number of the relevant Mayoral or Director’s decision. All investments were subject to financial, property and legal due diligence, and made in accordance with the funding conditions for the relevant programme. Further information can be found in the relevant Mayoral or Director Decision forms here:https://www.london.gov.uk/decisions/dd2305-marshgate-lane-woodlands-and-...
Programme
Counterparty
Scheme
Loan amount
Approval Number
Housing Zones
Anthology Wembley Parade Ltd
Wembley Parade
£34,500,000
MD2190
Housing Zones
Harrow South LLP
Northolt Road
£15,250,000
DD2160
Housing Zones
Origin Housing
Northolt Road
£10,086,956
DD2160
Housing Zones
Central Harrow LLP
Former Cumberland Avenue
£25,501,000
MD2267
Housing Zones
Origin Housing
Former Cumberland Avenue
£17,000,000
MD2267
Housing Zones
Swan New Homes
Blackwall Reach
£50,000,000
MD2060
Housing Zones
Waterside Places LLP
Hale Wharf
£38,183,235
MD2266
Land fund
Peabody Trust
Holloway Prison
£41,636,000
DD2328

Short-term lettings in the new blueprint for private renting

Sian Berry: Will you seek powers to regulate short-term lettings as well as private rents as part of work on your new blueprint for stabilising or controlling private rents in London?

The Mayor: My work on the London Model of tenancy reform, and on a blueprint for an effective system of rent control in London, focuses on dwellings let as homes, rather than short-term lets.
However, I have also been clear that regulation of the short-term lettings industry must be improved. I have been working with the industry to promote effective self-regulation, but if there is not sufficient progress, I will be forced to call for legislative change from the national Government

Short-term lettings

Tom Copley: What do you make of a recent BBC investigation that found that some property management companies, such as Hostmaker and Cityrelay, have been encouraging private landlords to break the 90-day legal limit of short-term lettings in London, by recycling listings with different photos on different platforms (AirBNB, bookings.com, HomeAway etc.) What conversations have you had with the industry about ending these practices?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6046.

Taxi Driver Numbers

David Kurten: What are yourprojections of new entrants to the taxi trade who have taken the Knowledge of London up to 2022, and how many drivers do you expect to leave the trade up to 2022?

The Mayor: It is not possible to predict with any certainty how many taxi or private hire drivers Transport for London (TfL) will license during the coming years.
As I made clear in my Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan, I am committed to raising the profile of The Knowledge of London. TfL’s Knowledge team attended a number of events, including a range of careers fairs and school career events, in order to promote the Knowledge as a career option. You may have seen that the team recently attended a TfL careers army event for candidates who have left or are in the process of leaving the armed forces, where the Knowledge received a lot of positive attention.
TfL has also finalised a brochure entitled How to Become a London Taxi Driver. The brochure includes specific case studies of a variety of Knowledge students from different backgrounds who have successfully gone through the Knowledge of London process. It also explains the benefits of becoming a London taxi driver and provides information on why our taxi drivers are considered the best in the world. This brochure has been made available to view and download on TfL’s website.
TfL’s Knowledge team will be handing out the brochure at future careers events, and I encourage anyone else who has an interest in promoting our taxi trade to do the same.
It is important that everyone within the taxi trade plays their part in helping to promote the benefits of being a London taxi driver to those looking for a new career. TfL is keen to work with the trade to help promote any ongoing or future initiatives.

Developer uncertainty over cladding (1)

Andrew Dismore: How many housing units are estimated to be behind schedule for completion due to uncertainty over permissible materials for cladding and construction while awaiting the Government’s review of building fire safety regulations?

The Mayor: Following the release of Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of the Building Regulations, I joined many across the sector in calling for a ban on combustible materials, and I called for new rules to be implemented immediately to avoid uncertainty to the construction industry. Although delayed, the regulations for the combustible materials ban were laid before Parliament in December 2018.

Developer uncertainty over cladding (2)

Andrew Dismore: What discussions has your office, TfL, the Greater London Authority Housing and Land team, London Legacy Development Corporation and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation had with developers regarding uncertainty over permissible cladding and construction materials while awaiting the Government’s review of building fire safety regulations?

The Mayor: These issues have been discussed as part of the routine engagement and correspondence with developers. Although delayed, certainty has now been provided by the regulations for the combustible materials ban which were laid before Parliament in December 2018.

Recycling of Free Newspapers on the TfL Network (1)

Joanne McCartney: A resident has asked me to ask why free newspapers distributed across the transport network on a Friday are not collected until Sunday?

The Mayor: Transport for London has a coordinated delivery and collection system in place with Metro and Evening Standard.
On weekdays, leftover newspapers are collected from stations by Metro staff each morning, when they deliver the day’s batch. Evening Standard staff also collect leftover Metro newspapers when they deliver theirs in the afternoon.
As there are no weekend newspapers, any remaining ones are collected on Monday morning. If, however, station staff feel there is too much newspaper waste, they ring Metro or Evening Standard, who will come and collect them.
Both Metro and Evening Standard record the amount of newspapers they collect at each station, and adjust their supply accordingly.

NHS Property Company

Onkar Sahota: What discussions has your office had with the NHS Property Company about their handling of allegedly surplus NHS sites in London?

The Mayor: NHS Property Services recently met with the London Estates Delivery Unit and they committed to working more closely with the London Estates Board in discussions around surplus sites in London.

Taxi Tariff Increase

Caroline Pidgeon: Please state the specific timescale TfL will be following for implementation of the taxi tariff increase in 2019.

The Mayor: This year’s taxi fares and tariff proposals will be subject to a public consultation by Transport for London (TfL) this spring. TfL will consider the responses to the consultation and make any decisions for change by the summer.

Voluntary 90-day limit for short-term lettings platforms (1)

Sian Berry: In your response to question 2018/3187 you expressed disappointment that only Airbnb had introduced a voluntary 90-day limit for short-term lettings and said that if other short-term lettings platforms fail to do this, you could be forced to call on Government for further legislation. Given that no other platforms have adopted this limit, will you now call for changes in the law to stop hosts in London from taking more than 90 nights of bookings a year for their entire home without planning permission?

The Mayor: Pleasesee my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6046.

ULEZ exemptions

Jennette Arnold: I have a constituent who is 77 and has very bad Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. She lives just north of the North Circular in Chingford. Her son has cerebral palsy and lives just south of the North Circular in supported housing. It currently takes the lady 4 minutes to drive to visit her son on a daily basis. If she did the same journey by public transport it would take her 2 buses and nearly an hour. She is very worried that once the ULEZ comes into force she will have to pay the fee every time she visits her son. Could the Mayor tell me what thoughts have been given to offering an exemption for Londoners in the same or very similar position?

The Mayor: The ULEZ is being introduced to benefit the health of all Londoners, and this can only be achieved if we all play our part. The positive effects will especially benefit the young, older people and those who have respiratory problems.
I would encourage your constituent to check whether her vehicle would be compliant with the ULEZ using the simple tool available here: tfl.gov.uk/ulez.TfL estimates that when the ULEZ expands to the North and South Circulars in 2021, 93 per cent of cars will be compliant. That means most people using cars will not be subject to the ULEZ charge.
For those whose car is not compliant, there are affordable second-hand vehicles available. Petrol cars that comply with the ULEZ have been widely available since 2005. For some of those whose vehicle is not compliant, I have announced £48 million of funding to create scrappage schemes. Of this funding, £25 million is earmarked to create a vehicle scrappage scheme for Londoners on low incomes. Details of this scheme will be launched later this year.

Voluntary 90-day limit for short-term lettings platforms (2)

Sian Berry: A senior manager from Hostmaker, one of the larger management companies for short-term rentals, was recently secretly recorded explaining how the firm could help landlords get around short-term lettings laws in London (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-47305575). In your response to my question 2018/1472, you stated that Hostmaker advertisements on the tube do not contravene the Transport for London (TfL) advertising policy. But is it morally acceptable for such advertisements now to remain on the TfL network?

The Mayor: Hostmaker is not currently running any advertising on the TfL network.

The Knowledge

Florence Eshalomi: Can you provide me with details of the cost and effect of the “I did it, so can you” advertising campaign on ‘The Knowledge of London’?

The Mayor: Neither I, nor Transport for London (TfL), had any involvement in this campaign, which was produced by an organisation called London Taxi PR (https://londontaxipr.com/).
However, TfL and I do think that it is an excellent example of how to raise the profile of The Knowledge of London.

London Model of Private Renting

Tom Copley: I eagerly await further details of your proposed London Model for Private Rent, as current Assured Shorthold Tenancies are urgently in need of reform. Can you confirm that you will, if given the appropriate powers from central Government, end the Right to Rent checks currently imposed on landlords, and ensure that no landlords are able to make discriminatory decisions about who they rent to on the basis of nationality, race or any other protected characteristic, as well as employment and benefits status?

The Mayor: Yes. I oppose the discriminatory Right to Rent policy, and I would end it if I had the powers to do so. It has stigmatised a wide group of renters and I am delighted that the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants won their landmark case. The Government should end it nationwide.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (7)

Keith Prince: Has TfL carried out any studies or an Integrated Impact Assessment on how the new Taxi Delicensing scheme will affect a) Taxi Drivers b) the Taxi Market for both Cab Sales and Rentals?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/6169.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (8)

Keith Prince: Has TfL investigated how the Taxi Delicensing scheme will affect the Taxi Market for customers?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6169.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (9)

Keith Prince: Before the change to the Taxi Delicensing scheme, the number of vehicles in the Taxis fleet have dropped by 10% in less than 2 years. Has TfL conducted any Surveys or Integrated Impact Assessments on how the new scheme will affect the number of Taxis in the fleet?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor'sQuestion 2019/6169.

Removing flammable cladding (1)

Andrew Dismore: Please provide an update on your work with London Councils to enforce removal of flammable cladding, particularly on privately owned residential tower blocks

The Mayor: A representative from my team continues to work with London boroughs through the Housing Directors’ Fire Safety Group convened by London Councils. The Local Government Association is setting up a Joint Inspection Team (JIT) to advise and support boroughs to enforce against building owners who fail to remove dangerous cladding from high rise residential buildings.

Violence Reduction Unit (1)

Susan Hall: What was the £500,000 initial set-up costs for the Violence Reduction Unit spent on?

The Mayor: The £500,000 initial set-up costs have been prioritised on undertaking an urgent review of homicides and most serious violent incidents, investing in a strategic needs assessment for London to identify the critical priorities and needs of London that the VRU will tackle first, developing the way the VRU will work which compliments the work of partners including the MPS, London Councils, CJS, health and education - investing in creating positive futures for communities and individuals to empower and aspire to tackle the issues that matter the most to them.

Taxi Licensing Scheme (4)

Keith Prince: With regard to the Taxi Delicensing Scheme, what is the timeframe for replies to drivers who have applied and is there a backlog?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) aims to provide an initial response to applicants within 28 days of their online application being made and is undertaking work to improve its response times.
Anyone applying for the scheme will receive an automatic response confirming receipt of their application and securing their place in a queue which will determine the amount they could receive (subject to the vehicle successfully passing a delicensing inspection).
Applicants do not need to take any further action once they have applied and received the automatic response. Their application will be processed and they will be contacted by TfL as soon as possible.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (5)

Keith Prince: With regard to the Taxi Delicensing Scheme, over what period can Drivers apply?

The Mayor: Taxi licensees can apply to Transport for London (TfL) for a delicensing payment at any time. The taxi delicensing fund operates on a first come, first served basis and will continue until the available funds have been exhausted.
I encourage taxi owners to take advantage of this fund. TfL will work with stakeholders to ensure that this scheme is promoted to all who can benefit from it.

Sprinklers on new builds

Andrew Dismore: Spot checks by London Fire Brigade revealed only two of fifteen recently built residential tower blocks had sprinklers. What steps are you taking, working with the London Fire Brigade, to ensure that the new London Plan contains strong enough guidance on automated fire suppression systems to ensure that all relevant premises have sprinklers installed in future?

The Mayor: The draft London Plan requires new developments to achieve the highest standards of fire safety. It makes clear that suppression systems including sprinklers can reduce the risk to life and should be explored at an early stage of building design. I am also lobbying the Government to introduce wider requirements for sprinklers through its work to update the Building Regulations.

Taxi Delicencing Scheme and ZEC Taxis (5)

David Kurten: Who carried out an Economic Integrated Impact study for TfL before the introduction of the Taxi Delicensing Scheme and the ZEC taxi, and when did they do it?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6169 and 2019/6175.

No left turn' restriction from the A1 into Tithe Walk

Andrew Dismore: Further to Question 2017/3281;
What safety actions have been taken at Tithe Walk, and why hasn’t the sign been put up yet? When will it be?

The Mayor: Following Mayor’s Question 2017/3281, Transport for London (TfL) raised the issue with the London Borough of Barnet (the highway authority for Tithe Walk) and has monitored collisions at this location. The latest available data shows that, over the previous 36 month period ending July 2018, there have not been any reported personal injury collisions in Tithe Walk. However, I have asked TfL to continue to engage with LB Barnet officers and explore how a ‘no left turn’ could reduce potential hazards and rat-running, subject to funding and prioritisation. Any change would of course need the full support of the Borough.

Ban on junk food advertising on the transport network (3)

Caroline Russell: What measures are you taking to ensure that the junk food policy will not be influenced by lobbyists representing companies selling food that is high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS)?

The Mayor: TfL’s Healthier Food and Drink Advertising Policy is designed to reduce children’s exposure to advertisements for food and drink that contribute to child obesity in London. It is one of a range of measures in my London Food Strategy to help address London’s high rates of child obesity.
The advertising restrictions cover all food and non-alcoholic drink adverts on the TfL estate, which are assessed against the PHE recommended Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM).
Ofcom has used this model in the UK since 2007 to restrict advertising high fat, sugar and/or salt products on television during children’s programmes and around programmes with a disproportionately high child audience.
The use of a robust, independently tested and scientifically led model will remain at the core of this policy. Where exception requests are put forward, the decision on whether to grant an exception is made by TfL, who consult an advisory panel which includes representatives selected by the national food alliance, Sustain and the GLA’s food and health teams. It is not open to influence from representatives of the food and drink or advertising industries.

Ban on junk food advertising on the transport network (2)

Caroline Russell: If there must be an exceptions process, how will it be managed and resourced? Will it be steered by expert health advice, and will you reconsider having the exceptions process if it is impractical to manage?

The Mayor: The exceptions process consists of a simple form to be completed by brands. The decision on whether to grant an exception is made by TfL, who have the ability to consult a panel which includes representatives from the national food alliance, Sustain, and the GLA’s food and health teams. TfL is monitoring the exceptions process and working proactively with brands and advertisers to ensure they fully understand the policy.
The exceptions process, and the Healthier Food and Drink Advertising Policy itself will be subject to ongoing independent evaluation to monitor its impact. A full review of the policy will take place in 2020.

Ban on junk food advertising on the transport network (1)

Caroline Russell: Why are you allowing exceptions to the proposed junk food advertising ban, and does this follow the advice of Government health experts?

The Mayor: TfL’s Healthier Food and Drink Advertising Policy is designed to reduce children’s exposure to adverts for food and drink that contribute to London’s high rate of child obesity. It is part of a range of measures outlined in my London Food Strategy to address London’s high rates of child obesity.
The policy uses the PHE recommended Nutrient Profiling Model to define products that are high in saturated fat, sugar and/or salt and are therefore considered to be ‘less healthy’. This is the same model the Government and its health experts are proposing to use for their 9pm restriction around junk food advertising on Television and online which they published on 18 March 2019.
The policy includes an exceptions process because we do not want to restrict products from being advertised which genuinely do not contribute to childhood obesity. This issue was raised by stakeholders in our consultation on the policy.
Requests for exceptions will be considered by TfL on a case-by-case basis, with guidance from an advisory panel including the GLA’s food team, and health team, and advisers selected by the national food alliance, Sustain. The independent evaluation of the policy will include the exceptions process and TfL continues to work with brands and advertisers to ensure they fully understand and comply with the policy.

Jacobs Report

David Kurten: When was the last independent Economic Integrated Impact Assessment on the Taxi Trade after the Jacobs Report in October 2014?

The Mayor: There have been a number of independent economic impact assessments undertaken for Transport for London (TfL) since the Jacobs Report in October 2014, including an update to that report when the Ultra Low Emission Zone scheme proposals changed, published in December 2017 as part of a public consultation.
An integrated impact assessment, which included economic and business impacts, was undertaken for the current consultation on the proposals for reducing the maximum age limits for taxis, published in February 2019.

Canada Water overcrowding

Florence Eshalomi: Many of my constituents are concerned about the daily overcrowding at Canada Water station and their safety when waiting for a train. What are you doing to address this?

The Mayor: The safety of customers and staff is always Transport for London’s (TfL) top priority, and TfL does all it can to ensure that customers travel safely at all times.
Canada Water can get very busy, but staff are trained to carefully manage passenger flows at the station to ensure a safe travel environment and minimum inconvenience for customers. An additional Customer Service Supervisor is also available at the station just to concentrate on passenger flows during the AM peak.
The London Overground currently provides a 16 trains per hour service in each direction and platform crowding is cleared as quickly as possible. TfL is also looking at a number of possible mitigation measures to help ease the crowding on escalators to the Jubilee line at Canada Water which we know can get particularly busy.
Improvements are already addressing crowding along the Jubilee line. A timetable change in 2018 increased evening peak services between West Hampstead and North Greenwich. Jubilee line trains are now running a peak service for an extra two hours per day, easing congestion at key stations like Canary Wharf, Waterloo and Canada Water.
TfL’s investment programme is playing a vital role in supporting London’s growth. Providing Londoners with a range of high-quality alternative travel options will also help ease crowding at key locations like Canada Water.
For example, when the Elizabeth line opens, it will serve more than half a million customers a day and add 10 per cent more capacity in central London. It may also help ease crowding at Canada Water if passengers change at Whitechapel to get to onward destinations such as Canary Wharf, Stratford and the West End. TfL’s modernisation of signalling on vast parts of the Tube network, new and more frequent trains, and the upgrade of stations like Victoria, Bank and Elephant & Castle are also critical, to relieve pressure on the Tube, and enable London to meet growing demand. TfL is also investing record amounts in walking and cycling, to support efficient and healthy ways to get around the city and realise my vision of Healthy Streets for London.

junction of Coldharbour Land/Loughborough Road

Florence Eshalomi: Can Transport for London provide an urgent update on the planned improvements to the junction of Coldharbour Land/Loughborough Road/Hinton Road and what comments have been provided to Lambeth?

The Mayor: This junction and roads are managed by the London Borough of Lambeth and fall outside of the Transport for London (TfL) Road Network. TfL is aware that the borough has been developing a scheme to install a diagonal pedestrian crossing at this junction. To date, TfL has supported this process by developing a signal design for the traffic lights. When Lambeth is in a position to start construction of a pedestrian crossing, TfL will undertake associated work to the signals at the junction.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme and ZEC Taxis (2)

David Kurten: What Supply & Demand Research was used for the Taxi Delicensing Scheme and the introduction of the ZEC taxi?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6169 and 2019/6175.

Taxi Delicencing Scheme and ZEC Taxis (4)

David Kurten: What will the economic impact of the ZEC requirement (residuals etc) be on the Taxi and Private Hire Trades due to the impact of delicensing?

The Mayor: Tackling pollution is a public health priority in London. To combat poor air quality, new measures are required to improve the health of all road users. Private hire vehicles (PHVs) and taxis both need to play their part and help clean up London’s air.
Transport for London (TfL) recognises the potential financial impact on the taxi and private hire trades of the ZEC requirement, and that on an individual basis this varies substantially, depending on the age of the owner’s current vehicle. Diesel vehicles had already been experiencing a downward trend in value due to the realisation of their air quality impacts and changing public attitudes in light of this information.
For information on the delicensing scheme, please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6169.

Bus collisions involving pedestrians at pedestrian crossings

Caroline Pidgeon: In your response to Question 2019/2081 you stated: "This situation is clearly unsatisfactory, and TfL has been reviewing its reporting processes and is working with its bus operators to ensure all incidents are recorded in an appropriate amount of detail.” When do you expect this review to be completed and for incident reporting to be improved to a satisfactory level?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is continually working to improve the quality of the safety data it collects from its suppliers, including bus operators. It does this by monitoring daily the quality of data input, as well as regularly providing advice and guidance on reporting standards to operators through meetings and in response to specific concerns.
Following my answer to Mayor's Question 2019/2081, TfL has issued guidance to all bus operators providing further clarity regarding the process for notifying and investigating major incidents. This included specific guidance that incident reports must include a reference to the proximity of crossings in any pedestrian incident, which will, in turn, improve the accuracy of keyword searches going forward. This will help ensure incidents are recorded in an appropriate amount of detail.

Length of hours worked by London Bus Drivers (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to Question 2019/2084, are you aware that the Managing Director of First Group Tram Operations Limited recently announced that Croydon tram drivers will no longer be allowed to work for more than five days in a row as a direct result of the findings of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigation. Do you think this measure should be implemented by London’s contracted bus operators?

The Mayor: I welcome the First Group announcement and its efforts to decrease consecutive blocs of hours worked to be better than the legal minimums.
Transport for London has separately commissioned Loughborough University to conduct research into bus driver fatigue. The outcomes from this research will be evidence-based and relate directly to this transport sector, to help our bus operators understand any arising issues and make informed choices. The research will be published later this year. It would, therefore, be premature for me to speculate on measures that could be required for bus drivers as a result.

Length of Hours Worked by London Bus Drivers (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: In your response to Question 2019/2084you stated: “London’s bus network is the most heavily monitored in the UK with respect to driver hours and I am satisfied that London bus drivers are not working excessively long hours”. Given that a recent rota for the 470 bus route lists 12-hour shifts for a number of days in a row, do you still stand by your previous answer?

The Mayor: Yes, I do stand by my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/2084.
You are correct that the rota for route 470 has 12-hour shifts for two or three consecutive days. However, within this period, there is non-driving time of over five hours each day and a minimum rest time of 10 hours and 30 minutes between each shift. The bus operator RATP is responsible for ensuring scheduled driver hours on the 470 meet UK regulations and in agreement with the trade union it has kept overall hours below the maximum ceiling and provided greater rest time than that legally required. The maximum total driving time across the entire rota is seven hours and 51 minutes on any day, the rota averages out at just under 40 hours a week and there are two scheduled rest days (including Sunday).

Crossrail 2 Costs

Florence Eshalomi: Crossrail 2 was estimated to cost around £30bn in 2014. Can you outline how the cost has moved to £41.3bn in your latest budget?

The Mayor: As is standard practice with infrastructure projects, the £30bn cost for Crossrail 2 has been quoted at a baseline year while scope and programme are agreed upon, which in this case is at 2014 prices. The £41.3bn cost quoted in the Mayor’s Final Budget for 2019-20 is an estimate at outturn costs. This nominal cost - the projected outturn cost for the project in future years, including allowances made for construction inflation - has always been in the region of £40bn. These costs have in fact come down following work undertaken to ensure best value for money, including as part of the Government’s Independent Affordability Review.

Night Tube Safety

Unmesh Desai: Please can you disclose how many total offences have been recorded on the night tube each year since it opened on 19th August 2016, including from 19th August 2018 to date.

The Mayor: Please see the below table for the numbers of total offences on the Night Tube by calendar year between 19 August 2016 and 10 March 2019.
Calendar year
2016
					*from 19/08/16
2017
2018
2019
					*to 10/03/19
Total recorded
offences
138
689
964
176
Tackling crime is a priority for Transport for London (TfL) and its policing partners – British Transport Police (BTP), the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the City of London Police (CoLP) – are all working together to stamp out all forms of crime on the network.
Crime on the Night Tube remains proportionally low as demand continues to rise, from 7.8 million customers in 2016/17, to 8.7 million customers in Night Tube’s second year of operation. Night Tube continues to be a relatively safe and low crime environment, with very few customers ever experiencing or witnessing crime.
All stations that are open through the night are staffed at all times. TfL has also invested in additional BTP officers, dedicated to policing the Night Tube. These officers are providing a high visibility police presence and keep customers and staff safe.
TfL continues to work with the BTP, CoLP and the MPS on Project Guardian, a partnership initiative to increase the confidence in reporting sexual offences which occur on the London’s transport network, challenge unwelcome sexual behaviour and target offenders. The BTP and MPS are also working in partnership to tackle theft committed by organised crime groups. Specific police operations involve undertaking targeted patrols on sections of the LU network to identify known suspects and disrupt their activity.

MPS Investigation into the Leave.EU Campaign

Joanne McCartney: Can you please give an update as to the MPS’s consideration of evidence provided by the Electoral Commission into alleged malpractice of the Leave.EU Campaign during the EU Referendum?

The Mayor: The Electoral Commission made two referrals to the MPS regarding potential criminal offences under section 123(4) PPERA in relation to the responsible person. The first referral was received on 11 May 2018 and concerns Leave.EU, the second referral was received on 17 July 2018 and concerns Vote Leave and BeLeave.
In relation to both referrals, subsequently on 7 September 2018 the MPS received over 2,400 documents from the Electoral Commission, which are being assessed by the MPS in order to make an informed decision as to whether a criminal investigation is undertaken.
As part of that assessment the MPS identified that additional material was held by the Electoral Commission which may be potentially relevant. This material has also been requested. Until all the relevant material is received in full the MPS will be unable to complete the assessment. The MPS is working closely with the Electoral Commission to ensure all the relevant material is obtained and, once received in full, the MPS must be allowed to investigate without fear or favour.

GP premises

Onkar Sahota: A survey by the BMA revealed that only half of GPs think their current premises are fit for purpose, and just one in five think they will be so in future. What work are you doing through the London Estates Delivery Unit to provide land, funding, and expertise to improve the primary care estate?

The Mayor: The draft London Health and Care Estates Strategy identifies a significant need to invest in primary care infrastructure. Through the London Estates Delivery Unit, my team is supporting local NHS organisations and councils to identify and secure the skills and resources needed to deliver their priority schemes.

Taxi and Private Hire Trade

David Kurten: What is the disclosed ethnic makeup of (i) newly licensed taxi drivers and (ii) newly licenced private hire drivers in the last 5 years?

The Mayor: Transport for London publishes details of the ethnicity of London taxi and private hire drivers, as well as Knowledge of London students: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/taxi-and-phv-demographic-stats.pdf

Taxi Drivers

David Kurten: What are your projections for the age of taxi drivers by the end of 2020 and 2022?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) regularly publishes demographic details of taxi and private hire drivers here: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/taxi-and-phv-demographic-stats.pdf.
It is not possible to predict the future demographic changes in the taxi or private hire trades with any certainty, although just as in every facet of London life we would like them to reflect the communities they serve.
Please see my response Mayor's Question 2019/6172 which provides more information on the work TfL is doing to promote the Knowledge of London as an attractive career option.

TFL Estate (2)

Andrew Boff: What restrictions on food and drink advertising are there for commercial tenants on the TfL estate?

The Mayor: I am committed to doing all I can to help Londoners make healthy food choices and have outlined a range of measures in my London Food Strategy to address London’s high rates of child obesity. Given almost 40 per cent of London’s 10 -11 year olds are obese it is important we do all we can to tackle this.
Retail tenants wanting to advertise on the TfL estate face the same restrictions as any other brand. All advertisers must demonstrate that any food or non-alcoholic drink featured in adverts running on the network are not high in saturated fat, salt and/or sugar (HFSS), unless they have been granted an exception.
Unfortunately, TfL cannot change the terms of existing leases, but they are developing proposals to ensure healthier food is promoted across the retail estate.

Taxi Licensing Scheme (3)

Keith Prince: How many applications have there been for Taxi Delicensing since the Mayor changed the previous failed scheme?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s new taxi delicensing scheme has seen a very positive response rate and a significant increase in applications in comparison to the old delicensing scheme.
As of 4 March 2019, 2,700 applications have been made. Of these applications, 130 have passed inspection and payments have already been made, or will be shortly.

Bike thefts, arrests and charges 2014-2018

Sian Berry: Could you provide the number of bike thefts and associated arrests and charges that have been made by the Metropolitan Police Service in each year from 2014 to 2018?

The Mayor: Please see the data requested below for the period specified.
Recorded Year
Offences
With arrests
With charges
2014
25,232
1,733
1,048
2015
24,162
1,627
918
2016
25,421
1,390
822
2017
30,232
1,051
611
2018
28,480
799
467
Although the number of recorded offences of this type have reduced during 2018, the arrest rate has also reduced. This can be partly explained by an increased focus on higher harm offences types by the MPS. However, the charge rate remains consistent for those arrested; averaging 59 per cent over the last 4 years.

TFL Estate

Andrew Boff: How many food outlets are on the TFL estate? Of these how many sell sweets, crisps, chocolate, fizzy drinks and doughnuts?

The Mayor: TfL has around 1,000 retail units across its network – these range from independent cafés and shops, to big chains. It does not monitor how many of these sell the products you outlined, though clearly many of them also offer a range of healthy items such as fruit and water.
Whilst TfL cannot change the terms of the existing leases, they are developing proposals to ensure healthier food is promoted across the retail estate.
My London Food Strategy also outlines a range of measures to address London’s high rates of child obesity, including how we will encourage ‘good food retail’ across London.

The Junk Food Ban

David Kurten: On 25 February 2019, you introduced a ban on so-called junk food advertising on public transport. It would be much appreciated if you could advise just how much this exercise in what I would consider to be virtue-signalling is going to cost TfL in lost revenue?

The Mayor: I am committed to doing all I can to help Londoners make healthy food choices and to tackle child obesity. London has one of the highest child overweight and obesity rates in Europe, with almost 40 per cent of the capital’s children aged 10 and 11 overweight or obese. Children from more deprived areas of the capital are disproportionately affected, with young people in Barking and Dagenham almost twice as likely to be overweight as children from Richmond.
The financial and human costs associated with obesity have spiralled in recent years and continue to rise. Earlier this year, Diabetes UK revealed a significant increase in the number of children and young people across the country diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The NHS spends at least £5.1 billion a year dealing with ill health caused by overweight and obesity in England and economic analysis suggests that the wider costs to UK society are at least £27 billion each year. Given the scale of the problem it is important we do all we can to tackle this.
That is why I have introduced restrictions on the advertisement of ‘high fat, salt and/or sugar’ (HFSS) products across TfL’s advertising estate along with a range of other policies in my London Food Strategy.
It is too early to know if there will be an impact on TfL’s revenue, as spend fluctuates between advertisers, but TfL believes that any revenue loss will be minimised as it continues to work with advertisers and brands to switch their advertising to healthier options. The majority of brands have a range of healthier products which they plan to continue advertising on the TfL estate.